SUNDERLAND are considering offering Bolton Wanderers’ icon Kevin Davies a permanent deal in order to clinch his move to the Stadium of Light.

The 34-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and his availability has attracted a string of interested clubs.

But none have offered the striker a permanent contract so far and Sunderland know that doing so would see them steal a march on their rivals.

Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill has been forced to take a more active stance in the transfer market after it emerged that Nicklas Bendtner is likely to be sidelined until mid-February after the club learned the extent of the striker’s facial injuries.

Bendtner was withdrawn after just 12 minutes of last weekend’s victory over Swansea City after receiving a boot to the face from defender Angel Rangel.

It left the on-loan Arsenal striker with a broken nose and damage to his cheekbone – ruling the 23-year-old out of this weekend’s Wear-Tees derby.

Sunderland’s plan was to look only at loan deals in the current window but that would leave them likely to be disappointed with Davies more likely to stay at the Reebok and leave at the end of the season.

Read more about Kevin Davies, plus the build-up to the weekend’s Wear/Tees FA Cup derby, in today’s Sportmail.